Players Back the Count
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:05 amAccording to Joe Hart:
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... -0-8872286
City hero Joe Hart has given a strong show of support for under-fire manager Manuel Pellegrini.
The England number one single-handedly stopped Lionel Messi and pals from racking up a rugby score at the Nou Camp last night.
And he then suggested that anyone calling for the head of the Engineer – who is under close scrutiny from the club hierarchy – is wrong.
“We back our manager. He is a great manager and brought us two trophies last year - now we have nine games to win, and that's what we hope to do,” he said.
“It's always going to be the same at City, for all the players. We appreciate that if we don't win everyone will be speculated about. You have to be strong inside.”
Hart emerged from a sobering night for City with his reputation enhanced – and it was the latest in a line of fine displays by him in the Champions League.
He was brilliant at Bayern Munich earlier this season and came up with crucial saves at Roma – and he has performed equally well in previous seasons.
But many thought this was his finest moment, even if Hart was hardly going to agree, straight after a defeat.
“It's difficult to say tonight, because we are out of the Champions League before the quarter-finals – we'll talk about it another day,” he said.
“I am a proud man and take pride in my performances, and the day I come off the field and am not proud of what I have done is the day I will question myself.
“Even when we lose, even when I make mistakes, and it's all my fault, I am still proud of my efforts, and of my team – and we will keep going.”
One save, a close-range block from Messi, was described by one pundit as the best he had ever seen, but Hart's verdict was simple: “The one where he smashed it against my chest? I just tried to be as big and strong as I could – he is awesome and I fully expected it to go in, so it was a nice feeling.”
It was a bittersweet night for Hart, as City missed a great chance to capitalise on his display – and his penalty save in the first leg – as Sergio Aguero missed a penalty.
“Sergio scores goal after goal after goal for us, and I can't say one bad word about him – he is a phenomenal player,” said Hart. “But I thought ter Stegen had a brilliant game for Barcelona and topped that off with a save from the penalty.
“It's disappointing – we gave ourselves a chance and didn't take it.
“I had a lot to do, but I wanted it to count. I said that after the first leg, and it hasn't.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... -0-8872286
City hero Joe Hart has given a strong show of support for under-fire manager Manuel Pellegrini.
The England number one single-handedly stopped Lionel Messi and pals from racking up a rugby score at the Nou Camp last night.
And he then suggested that anyone calling for the head of the Engineer – who is under close scrutiny from the club hierarchy – is wrong.
“We back our manager. He is a great manager and brought us two trophies last year - now we have nine games to win, and that's what we hope to do,” he said.
“It's always going to be the same at City, for all the players. We appreciate that if we don't win everyone will be speculated about. You have to be strong inside.”
Hart emerged from a sobering night for City with his reputation enhanced – and it was the latest in a line of fine displays by him in the Champions League.
He was brilliant at Bayern Munich earlier this season and came up with crucial saves at Roma – and he has performed equally well in previous seasons.
But many thought this was his finest moment, even if Hart was hardly going to agree, straight after a defeat.
“It's difficult to say tonight, because we are out of the Champions League before the quarter-finals – we'll talk about it another day,” he said.
“I am a proud man and take pride in my performances, and the day I come off the field and am not proud of what I have done is the day I will question myself.
“Even when we lose, even when I make mistakes, and it's all my fault, I am still proud of my efforts, and of my team – and we will keep going.”
One save, a close-range block from Messi, was described by one pundit as the best he had ever seen, but Hart's verdict was simple: “The one where he smashed it against my chest? I just tried to be as big and strong as I could – he is awesome and I fully expected it to go in, so it was a nice feeling.”
It was a bittersweet night for Hart, as City missed a great chance to capitalise on his display – and his penalty save in the first leg – as Sergio Aguero missed a penalty.
“Sergio scores goal after goal after goal for us, and I can't say one bad word about him – he is a phenomenal player,” said Hart. “But I thought ter Stegen had a brilliant game for Barcelona and topped that off with a save from the penalty.
“It's disappointing – we gave ourselves a chance and didn't take it.
“I had a lot to do, but I wanted it to count. I said that after the first leg, and it hasn't.”